The Los Angeles Lakers and the Boston Celtics will renew their rivalry on Thursday night as those two teams take to the hardwood for some NBA betting action at TD Garden.
The Lakers are 3-0 SU and 2-1 ATS over their past three games against the Celtics, although the teams will be meeting for the first time this season on Thursday night. The UNDER has paid out for totals bettors in seven of their last 10 matchups.
Pau Gasol is out for the struggling Lakers as he tore plantar fascia on his foot and is out for 6-8 weeks. Boston has their own injury problem in Rajon Rondo's absence.
Boston battles the Lakers, currently with a 23-26 mark (20-29 ATS). The OVER/UNDER records, important for totals bettors, are 23-24-1 for the Celtics and 24-24-1 for the Lakers. (Note: follow us on Twitter for line updates and injuries news).
View LA Lakers vs Boston Odds and Stats.
Power Rankings / Prediction:
The Odds Shark Power Rankings have the Celtics at No. 20 and the Lakers at No. 12 heading into this contest. Handicapping models run by the computers at Odds Shark project a 100-98 result in favor of the Lakers.
How They Match Up:
The game also pits Boston's No. 18-ranked offense, averaging 95.6 PPG, against a Lakers defense that ranks No. 23 at 100.5 PPG. The Celtics field goal percentage has averaged 46% so far, more than the Lakers shooters have achieved on the year, 45.7% per game.
In comparing how the teams stack up statistically, the Lakers own the league's No. 28-rated mark, allowing 104.1 points per game when playing on the road. Boston, on the other hand, rates No. 19 in scoring on their home court.
Los Angeles won its last outing, a 92-83 result against the Nets on February 5. The Lakers covered in that game as a 3.5-point underdog, while the 175 combined points took the game UNDER the total. Los Angeles earned a 92-83 victory over Brooklyn on Tuesday, getting 21 points from Kobe Bryant at Barclays Center.
Last time out for Boston, they were a 99-95 Sportsbook as they battled the Raptors on the road. The Celtics covered in the match as a 4-point underdog, while 194 combined points moved the game OVER for totals bettors. Boston got 27 points and 10 rebounds from Kevin Garnett en route to a 99-95 victory over Toronto on Wednesday at Air Canada Centre.
Los Angeles Lakers Trends:
When playing on Thursday are 5-5
Before playing Charlotte are 6-4
After playing Brooklyn are 6-4
After a win are 6-4
Boston Celtics Trends:
When playing on Thursday are 5-5
Before playing Denver are 7-3
After playing Toronto are 6-4
After a win are 9-1
A few Lakers at Celtics trends to consider:
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of the LA Lakers last 5 games when playing on the road against Boston
LA Lakers are 6-1 SU in their last 7 games
LA Lakers are 5-1 SU in their last 6 games when playing Boston
The total has gone UNDER in 7 of the LA Lakers last 9 games when playing Boston
Boston is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Boston's last 5 games when playing at home against LA Lakers
Boston is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games at home
The total has gone UNDER in 7 of Boston's last 9 games when playing LA Lakers
Next up:
LA Lakers at Charlotte, Friday, February 8
Boston home to Denver, Sunday, February 10
